Indeed there are events around us which restore our faith in humanity, in the otherwise callous and indifferent world. In one such praiseworthy act a Pennsylvanian man donated one of his kidneys, that not only changed the recipient, Colleen Ursida’s life but also has brightened her entire family’s future.
It happened when Robert Rice of New Castle donated one of his kidney to the other patient, Colleen Ursida of Beaver Falls. This generous act and life-saving surgery happened on June 20 at UPMC Montifiore Hospital in Pittsburgh.
Rice donated his left kidney to Ursida that was picked off from kidney recipient’s list. Complete strangers, the two happened to donate and receive the organ through the altruistic kidney donation program of Pittsburgh’s Center for Organ Recovery and Education. Rice and Ursida met for the first time two days after the surgery and held hands for several minutes looking at each other.
Rice who has worked with veterans as an activities assistant at the Southwestern Veterans Center in Pittsburgh had witnessed lots of suffering and pain in patients when they underwent dialysis a couple of times in a week. Seeing the plight Rice realized that he has to help somebody out there.
Ursida, mother of 17-year-old daughter was thrilled to get the news of receiving the kidney, as she did not want her daughter to grow up without a mother.
Completely moved with Rice’s action she said:
I was so amazed and felt so blessed that somebody, a stranger that did not know me, would give up an organ to help my life out.
On the other side after donating his kidney Rice said:
It was amazing, seeing her parents, her 17-year-old daughter. It was truly amazing, the greatest feeling I ever had.
Perhaps such deeds would inspire many others to come forward and do their bit for the society.
Source: CBS13